Defragmenting The Hard Drive - Gateway 3-Bay mBTX Pro User Manual

Defragmenting the hard drive

When working with files, sometimes Windows divides the file information into pieces and stores
them in different places on the hard drive. This is called fragmentation, and it is normal. In order
for your computer to use a file, Windows must search for the pieces of the file and put them
back together. This process slows the hard drive performance.
Disk Defragmenter organizes the data on the drive so each file is stored as one unit rather than
as multiple pieces scattered across different areas of the drive. Defragmenting the information
stored on the drive can improve hard drive performance.
While Disk Defragmenter is running, do not use your keyboard or mouse because using them
may continuously stop and restart the defragmenting process. Also, if you are connected to a
network, log off before starting Disk Defragmenter. Network communication may stop the
defragmentation process and cause it to start over.
on the size of the drive being defragmented), consider starting the process
when you will not need the computer for several hours.
To defragment the hard drive:
1
2
3
116
CHAPTER 11: Maintaining Your Computer
Tip
Because defragmenting a drive may take hours to complete (depending
Disconnect your computer from the network.
Click (Start), All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then click Disk Defragmenter.
The Disk Defragmenter dialog box opens.
Click Defragment now. This process may take hours to complete, depending on the size
of the drive being defragmented.
Help
For more information about defragmenting the hard drive, click Start, then
click Help and Support. Type defragmenting in the Search Help box, then
press E .
NTER